Automobile cooling system testing device



Dec. 26, 1961 J. F. BLACK AUTOMOBILE COOLING SYSTEM TESTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 6, 1956 J Md fro/v A//e source JNVENTOR. JOHN F- BL A c/f Dec. 26, 1961 J. F. BLACK AUTOMOBILE COOLING sTsTEM TESTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 6, 1956 INVENTOR. `TOI-#N F'. BLA C/r mechanic making the test, first removes the cap to be tested from the automobile and inspects the marking thereon to determine the weight of the spring used therein. He then screws the cap being tested on one end of the tube and screws another cap of a known efficiency and having a heavier spring therein which constitutes a safety valve upon the other end of the tube. He next applies air pressure in accordance with the pressure load indicated by the markings on the cap being tested, observing the gauge 28 to ascertain the strength and stability of the spring and rubber gasket valve seal.

In the'modified form illustrated in FIG. 5, the tube 10 is provided with a iianged cap 4i! sealed within the tube adjacent one end thereof. The tube in this embodiment, is of a diameter which will accommodate the assembly of the air gauge 28 and a tire filler valve 4l within the cap 40. The radiator filler neck used in this device is of the longer type, and a spacer or washer i2 of the requisite thickness is employed to facilitate tests on caps of the shorter form. The washer 42 is preferably made from a magnetized metal plate to accommodate the attachment thereof to any steel surface of the device in order to avoid the loss thereof when not in use. The washer in its preferred form, is provided with thin rubber discs vulcanized upon the opposed faces thereof to assure its sealed engagement with the valve and valve seat.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the apparatus heretofore described, may, with the addition of an adaptor, be used to check the radiator cooling system. The adaptor, for this purpose, comprises a rubber block or plug 52, a second shorter rubber block S3, and an intermediate washer 54. These parts are united by an axial tube 55 having cap screws 56 in the ends thereof, each being provided with a threaded opening 57 therein. These parts, when so united, form a test uid conducting and sealing means which forms a seal against each of the two abutted internal lianges in the connected filler necks.

The end of the block 52 engages the inner face of a radiator cap shell 58, and the block 53 engages the inner face of a second inverted radiator cap shell 59 which is welded or otherwise affixed to the first cap shell 58. The cap screws 56 are drawn down to effect a sealed engagement between the blocks and the washer S4 which is mounted in aligned openings in the radiator cap shells 58 and 59.

The top portion of a radiator to be tested is shown in FIGURES 6 and 8. This top portion includes a filler neck 50 which is soldered to a radiator shell S1. The neck 50 is substantially identical to the previouslydescribed filler necks 11 including an integral fiange and a transversely disposed end wall. In use the plug and cap shell assembly is inserted in the filler neck 50 and the rubber block 52 is compressively engaged with the base thereof by action of the inclined cam 16. The tube 10, as shown in FIG. 6, is next secured to the upturned cap shell 59 and air pressure is applied in the manner heretofore described, preferably by a portable appliance, such as a hand pump.

The assembly illustrated in FIG. 8 is similar to the cooling system testing device of FIG. 6, save that a larger filler neck 70 is shown and an enlarged cap shell 71 and rubber block 72 are employed therewith. The, cap screws 56 may be tapped, as illustrated, and a screw plug 73, seated on a gasket 74, may be inserted therein in the event this assembly is used to test a filler cap. It will be understood that the assembly may be made up in any desired combination with respect to the length and diameter of the rubber blocks, and that such combination of partsis contemplated herein as fully within the scope of the invention.

If desired, a readiator cap shell 75 (FIG. 9) and a solid rubber block 76 of suitable length, may be substituted for the cap assembly 18 of FIGURE 6. In this case, the cap shell is formed without a central opening therein and the parts are not attached to each other, the plug or block being merely dropped into the filler neck and compressively clamped therein when the cap shell 75 is tightened in place. As has previously been indicated, the cap assembly 18 is preferred as a closure for the end of the tube 10 which is the upper end in FIG- URE 6. The standard radiator cap assembly 18 is preferred for two reasons. The first of these reasons is that it provides a safety-pressure relief valve of known and proper capacity. The second is that the operator of this device does not require any special closure for the upper end of his test mechanism. He has a readily available closure in the form of a standard radiator cap. If the operator is, for example, a gasoline station operator, he has a new and proper safety valve in his normal inventory of caps offered for sale.

When it is necessary to test a cap of a form that varies in size from those heretofore described, a cap shell is soldered or otherwise attached to a filler neck which is formed to receive the special cap to be tested. The filler neck in the cylinder assembly 10 is then provided with a rubber plug having an axial opening therein, and this plug is compressively engaged with the base of the cylinder filler neck and the cap shell when screwed in place. The special cap is then screwed on the special fller neck and air is injected into the cylinder in the manner hereto described.

Although the foregoing description is necessarily of a detailed character, in order that the invention may be completely set forth, it is to be understood that the specific terminology is not intended to be restrictive or confining, and that various rearrangements of parts and modifications of detail may be resorted to without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A pressure tester for a vehicle radiator, comprising, a tube member having a through chamber therein, a first assembly at one end of said chamber, a radiator cap removably attachable to said first assembly, said radiator cap including a pressure valve and bottom seal extending into said chamber, said first assembly including a valve seat means coactable with said pressurel valve and bottom seal of said radiator cap, an air escapement opening through said tube member between said valve seat means and said first end of said chamber, a second assembly at the opposite end of said chamber, gasket sealing means carried by said second assembly, said gasket means including a through aperture for communication between said chamber and a radiator being tested, a first radiator cap cover connected tothe gasket means to secure said gasket means in said second end of said chamber, a second radiator cap cover connected to the gasket means to secure said gasket means to the radiator to be tested, said covers being connected together in back-to-back relationship, air inlet means in communication with said chamber, and a pressure gauge in communication with said chamber.

2. In a pressure tester for a vehicle radiator the combination of, a tube having a through passage extending from a first to a second end of the tube, first and second radiator filler necks respectively secured to the first and second ends of the tube, each of said filler necks including an internal fiange and a transversely disposed end wall for the support of a radiator cap, a radiator pressure cap of a known efficiency constituting a safety valve secured to said first filler neck and closing the first end of the tube, first and second radiator cap covers welded together in back-to-back relation, said first cap cover being connected to said transversely disposed end wall of said second filler neck, said second cap cover being connectable to the ller neck of an automobile radiator to be tested, resilient blocks filling the space between the internal ange of said second filler neck and said first cap cover and projeoting outwardly from said second cap cover to fill thc space between an internal flange on such filler neck of such automobile radiator to be tested and said second cap cover, means connecting the blocks and cap covers together, said blocks having intercommunicating passageways therein to conduct air under pressure from said tube through said blocks and into a radiator to be tested, an air valve on said tube and communicating with the interior thereof, and an air gauge on said tube and communieating with the interior thereof to indicate the pressure in the tube and thereby indicate escapement of air from a radiator being tested.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein a tubular member provides said intercommunicating passageway and wherein the means connecting the blocks together includes said tubular member andmeans secured to the ends thereof to unite said blocks.

4. A mechanism for testing a vehicle radiator having a iller neck including a valve seat, said mechanism comprising, a test device including a filler neck having a valve seat, the test device also including means to Supply a quantity of test air to and through said filler neck, and an adaptor secured to each of said filler necks and connecting the two together, said adaptor comprising, first and second radiator cap covers oppositely oriented and each secured to one of said filler necks, and Huid conducting and sealing means connected to the covers and providing an air conducting passage extending from one of said ller necks to the other, said uid conducting and sealing means being biased into fluid sealing engagement with each of said valve seats.

5. An adaptor for connecting a radiator tester to a radiator comprising, lirst and second annular radiator cap cover members, each of said cover members including means on one side thereof to connect the cover to a radiator ller neck, the connection means on each of said caps being oriented in a direction away from the other cap, a rst annular resilient block member extending outwardly past said iirst cover member connection means, a second annular resilient block member extending outwardly past the connection means on said second cap member, other means connecting the two block members together and forming a uid conducting passage from one block to the other, and said passage being surrounded by each of said annular members.

6. An adaptor for connecting a radiator tester to a radiator comprising, irst and second annular radiator cap cover members, each of said cover members including means on one side thereof to connect the cover to a radiator iiller neck, the connection means on each of said caps being oriented in a direction away from the other cap, a rst annular resilient block member extending outwardly past said iirst cover member connection means, a second annular resilient block member extending outwardly past the connection means on said second cap member, another annular member interposed between said block members and in abutment with each of them, a tube surrounded by each of the members and means at the ends of the tube urging the block members into abutment with said other member.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Publication: Pres-Sure-Tite Products Inc., Detroit,

Michigan, relating to Cooling System Tester, 2 pages, January 1955. (Copy in 73-45.8.) 

